David Saker named Australia head coach for Indian ODI series

Australia’s fast-bowling coach David Saker will be the head coach of the Aussies’ One-day tour to India later in the year, Cricket Australia announced today. Saker, who has never played international cricket, will replace Darren Lehmann in the series, for which the dates are yet to be announced.

Cricket Australia has taken the step following head coach Lehmann's heath concerns. Lehmann was diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in January 2016. The doctor advised him to reduce air travel and that seemed to be the reason Saker has been offered the role.

Delighted with the new role, Saker said, "It's a huge honour to be even considered to be a coach of an Australian team, and to be given the opportunity is fantastic," reported Cricbuzz.

He further added, "I'm going to look forward to it a lot, and my ambition is to coach Australia.

"I know not playing cricket for Australia makes it a little bit harder. But I think I've been involved in Test cricket, one-day cricket and Twenty20 cricket a lot. I've seen a lot of cricket, so I think I could do the job without a doubt."

With the new appointment, Saker joined the likes of John Buchanan, Tim Nielsen, and Mickey Arthur, who have never played international cricket, but coached Australia at the highest level.

Saker, who has played 72 first-class matches for Tasmania and Victoria between 1994 and 2002, was appointed Australia's fast bowling coach in July last year after serving as England's bowling coach from 2010 to 2015.

In the last 5 IND vs SA ODIs, SA was bowled out twice, while IND was bowled out only once.

Will either team be able to bowl their opponent out? Predict on Nostragamus now! Join IND vs SA challenge and win up to ₹40,000.

Download Nostragamus for FREE and get ₹20 Joining Bonus! Click here to download app on Android.